Do gender roles explain the higher risk of depression: a meta-analysis review of 40 years of evidence?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.018

Commentary

This meta-analysis review was designed to systematically assess the association between depression and multiple gender roles (masculine, feminine, hermaphroditic, and undifferentiated characteristics) and to determine potential moderators of the relationship.

Of the 4481 records identified in the three electronic databases, 58 studies published between 1978 and 2021 were included.

As a result.

(1) The association between depression and gender roles is moderated by study year and the Human Development Index.

(2) Masculinity is a protective factor for depression, but this advantage declines as life expectancy increases.

(3) A negative association between depression and femininity is observed among women and college students, which emerges as national education and income indices increase between 1990 and 2019.

(4) Androgynous individuals develop the lowest levels of depression compared to other gender role orientations, and this disparity becomes more extreme as life expectancy and per capita income indices increase.

The conclusion of all this is that hermaphroditism may be the most ideal gender role that protects both women and men from depression.